In light of recent concerns raised by local residents, the Huntington Town Board has amended the town code on short-term rentals, and is considering approving a change the accessory apartment section of the code.
With homestay and rental services, like Airbnb, becoming more and more popular, some neighbors have argued that such short-term rentals are negatively impacting the character of their neighborhood and their quality of life, according to Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci.
In an effort to curb the complaints and address the issues of short-term rentals—that is, rentals less than 30 consecutive days—the Town Board last week voted to reduce the number of days that a homeowner can engage in such rental agreements from 120 days a year to 90 days a year.
The change of code comes after the board voted in November 2018 to prohibit properties from being advertised for unapproved uses, after community members reported short-term renters having house parties and charging admission fees in residential areas of Dix Hills.
Another housing issue officials are working to resolve is affordability. According to Lupinacci, the town is considering ways to expand on the use of existing homes in the Town of Huntington to offer cost-effective living solutions for residents who cannot otherwise afford to live in the area.
One of these solutions involves amending the code on accessory apartments to reduce the minimum required property size. It also would allow owners to live in their accessory apartment and legally rent the main area of their home. If adopted, the size requirements would be reduced from 7,500 square feet to 5,000 square feet, thus reducing an accessory apartment’s lot frontage requirement from 75 linear feet to 50 linear feet.
A public hearing has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 at Town Hall to review the accessory apartment proposal and garner public input.